Gore now fourth on all-time rushing list
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Dolphins running back Frank Gore continues to solidify his Hall of Fame worthiness this season and hit a new career landmark in Sunday’s 20-12 win against the Jets.
With an 8-yard run in the third quarter, Gore overtook former New York Jets running back Curtis Martin for fourth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 14,112 yards. He came in with 14,087, just 14 shy of matching Martin, and had 16 on his first five carries against the Jets. He finished with 25 yards on nine carries.
Gore said the achievement meant a lot, adding “I’ve been blessed to keep going and have success.”
As good as he’s looked since coming to the Dolphins, it’s unlikely Gore will climb any higher this season. Barry Sanders is third all-time with 15,269 yards.
Emmitt Smith is the career leader at 18,355, a mark that looks increasingly unattainable in today’s pass-happy NFL, and Walter Payton is second with 16,726.
Gore, 35, has had an incredible 14-year career in which he’s played 198 of a possible 210 games. In his 30s, when most running backs are thought to be spent, he’s averaged 64.8 yards per game and topped NFL ALL-TIME RUSHING LIST Emmitt Smith 1990-2004 Walter Payton 1975-1987 Barry Sanders 1989-1998 Frank Gore 2005-2018 Curtis Martin 1995-2005
960 yards every year.
Parker not sure why he didn’t play: As receiver DeVante Parker was getting ready to leave the Dolphins’ locker room on Sunday, he was asked if he could have played.
“Yes,” Parker said. Parker was then asked if he had been told why he was not active for the game. 18,355 yards 16,726 15,269 14,112 14,101
“No,” Parker said. Parker is generally a man of few words. But it did seem he was a bit upset to not have dressed.
Parker was a limited practice participant on Wednesday and practiced in full on Thursday and Friday, despite having broken a finger on his right hand during training camp.
It did not appear, in the portions of practice open to the media, that Parker was severely impacted by the injury, though he did grimace at times.
On Thursday, Parker said, “I’m just ready to get back out there with my teammates and get going again.”
Four Dolphins receivers caught passes on Sunday — Danny Amendola (4), Albert Wilson (3), Jakeem Grant (2) and Kenny Stills (2).
Tanner McEvoy, who is considered a strong special teams players, also suited up for Miami.
Coach Adam Gase this week noted Parker’s height and athleticism. He also suggested that “it seems like he’s not having any issues catching the ball.”
Parker, who had nothing on his right hand in the locker room (he likely would have had two fingers taped had he played), will have to wait at least one more week to make his season debut.
Wilson orchestrates team photo celebration: Wilson crouched down with the football in the end zone, waited for all his teammates to join and posed for photographers to celebrate his 29-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill that gave Miami a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
“It just makes it a team thing,” Wilson said. “It kind of takes the attention away from me and puts it on the team. It definitely turns out to be a good picture, to put up in the house.”
Wilson said he’ll call the photo, “A night out,” and that it could have been inspired by a night out at the club.
Wilson had three catches for 37 yards and 2 rushes for 38 yards against the Jets.
“(Gase) is a genius,” Wilson said. “And it’s all about matchups. So any way he can find a matchup to take advantage of on the other side of the ball he’s going to do it. And he’s going to find a way.”
Wilson said he is not surprised with Miami’s 2-0 start, despite several media organizations, including ESPN, ranking them in the preseason as the worst team in the league.
“I actually have higher expectations for the team,” he said, “especially for the offense. I’m not surprised we’re off to a 2-0 start. I think we’re better than what we’re showing people.”
Stills, Wilson still kneeling: As Stills said last week, he’s not going anywhere.
Before Sunday’s game at the Jets, Stills and Wilson took a knee during the national anthem to protest racial inequality in America. Defensive end Robert Quinn also made a statement by continuing to raise his right fist, as he has since the start of the 2016 season.
All three players have indicated they will keep protesting the remainder of the season. The NFL enacted a policy banning kneeling in the recent offseason, but enforcement of that rule is currently suspended and likely will stay that way the rest of the year.
“We started the protest two years ago now and we’re not going anywhere,” Stills said. “It’s not going to change. Activism isn’t something you just kind of get involved in and then turn your back on it.”